Southwest Airlines plans to reduce service to and from Atlanta next year, in effect reducing hundreds of pilot and flight attendant positions based at the world’s busiest airport.
The low-cost airline will not eliminate its Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport crew base, the company confirmed to USA TODAY Wednesday, but said it will need less staff in Atlanta to operate upcoming route cuts scheduled there.
“We’re continuing to optimize the network to meet demand and maximize profitability, with scarcity of aircraft no doubt a driving force,” Southwest spokesperson Chris Perry said. “Booking patterns simply don’t support continuing our previous levels of service at (Atlanta).”
Citing an internal memo, CNBC reported the company plans to reduce staffing by more than 300 pilots and flight attendants and for the April 2025 bid month: about 140 pilots and 200 flight attendants.
The Dallas-based company would not confirm those numbers to USA TODAY noting, they “can change from initial estimates.”
All employees will be given an opportunity to transfer stations, Southwest said, and the upcoming changes won’t take effect for at least six months.
“We continue to optimize our network to meet customer demand, best utilize our fleet, and maximize revenue opportunities,” Southwest released in a statement to USA TODAY. “Decisions like these are difficult for our company because of the effects on our people, but we have a history of more than 53 years of ensuring they are taken care of. “
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Southwest’s plan ‘to restore its industry leading performance’
The news comes one day before Southwest is set to hold a special meeting with investors in Dallas where leaders plan to discuss the airline’s plan to slash costs and increase revenue.
“Shareholders will have the opportunity to hear more about these initiatives and Southwest’s plan to restore its industry leading performance,” the company issued in an online response to a recent shareholder letter from American activist investor Elliott Investment Management ahead of the airlines “long-planned Investor Day” set Thursday.
Earlier this month, Reuters reported, Southwest announced changes to its board including the retirement of its chairman Gary Kelly, but confirmed its support for CEO Bob Jordan amid calls for a shakeup from the activist investor.
Southwest said Kelly would retire after Southwest’s annual 2025 meeting, and said six directors will step down after its November board meeting. All moves, the company reported, are voluntary.
The airline said it plans to appoint four new independent directors, which would include up to three candidates proposed by Elliott.
Southwest boosting service in Nashville with 6 new markets
While the airline draws down in Atlanta, the company told USA TODAY it is boosting service in Nashville with six new markets from there .
They are:
- Albuquerque, New Mexico
- Albany, New York
- Jackson, Mississippi
- Memphis, Tennessee
- Providence, Rhode Island
- Tulsa, Oklahoma
Next year’s April and May schedule, the company said, will have an all-time high 174 Sunday departures from Music City.
Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at [email protected] and follow her on X @nataliealund.
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